Top 10 Albums That Are Quintessentially Me (In No Order)

These are not neccesarily my all time best albums. These are just the albums that I listen to, and I can empathize with so very very much, that it feels like the album was written for me.

Day 1: Dusk And Summer by Dashboard Confessional

Everything about this album makes me think. This album not only touches me because I feel like I connect with it, but because it makes me think. It challenges me to reach farther into my heart and mind and fully face my emotions.

I am completely unashamed to say that this album touched me so deeply that when I went to Chris Carraba’s solo tour a couple years ago and he played one of the songs off of this live, I cried.

I think I'm going to start using this again

I’m bored and not feeling well and have the urge to blog again, starting with an amazing link my dad just sent, which is forthcoming.

woman next to me at joes: “oh my god if i see another woman with tattoos i will vomit!” what the hell? since when are tatts a man thing?

Doris Day On A Speeding Motorcycle (Don't Bring Me Down)

Once again I’ve contributed a mix to the now open to all communal LOFC. Anyone reading this, click the link asap and contribute your musical musings to a wide audience of bored Austin area high schoolers. School is officially out as of today so we’re all glued to our computer anyways! Woo!

lofc:

Hey, Zoe C.S. here. I’ve made a short (for me, anyway) mix to help start LOFC back up. I’m that loud kid jumping into the middle of the empty dancefloor to bust a move.

Here’s the link:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/8ki40t

The mix is entitled Doris Day On A Speeding Motorcycle (Don’t Bring Me Down). It’s just a peek at what I’m really loving right now. I know some of my picks will likely be made fun of, but “I don’t give a damn about my bad reputation, a girl can do what she wants to do, and that’s what I’m gonna do.” Thnx Joan.

Tracklist:

1. 99 Luft Problems by Jay-Zena

2. Bad Reputation by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

3. Tribulations (Shallow Version) by LCD Soundsystem

4. Hallelujah by Dear & The Headlights

5. Beethoven’s 5th Golddigger by A plus D

6. Hot’N’Cold (Yelle Remix) by Katy Perry

7. Doris Day by Jack’s Mannequin

8. (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone (Single Version) by The Monkees

9. We’re Wolf by Every Time I Die

10. Fish Tacos (ExtraTarTarBlend) by Immuzikation (big ups to Santi for introducing me to this)

11. Speeding Motorcycle (Daniel Johnston Cover) (Acoustic) by Yo La Tengo

12. Sugar Cane (Demo/Early Version of Losing My Religion and Imitation Of Life) by R.E.M.

13. Don’t Bring Me Down by Electric Light Orchestra

Enjoy! I would love to hear everyone’s opinions on this, good or bad.

More notes from Fun Fun Fun Fest; This time, Dan Deacon worship

Yeah, it’s fangirl time…again. Here’s an excerpt from some of my Fun Fun Fun Fest notes about Dan Deacon:

At first glance, Dan Deacon’s set looked like any other rave show. There were the obligatory bright lights and obnoxious strobes, and the ravers were festival-going kids dressed up in unspeakably loud clothing they will regret in 5-10 years when they have traded in Islands and soda pop for Sebadoh and PBR. Yet, something was different at Dan Deacon’s set, and the intense energy (or, dare I risk my punk points and say…vibe?) compelled me to stay.

One couldn’t help but want to be part of the audience mass that seemed riveted by Dan Deacon. Although the backstagers were acting entirely nonchalant about the whole affair, the crowd was wild; bouncing, dancing, and moving as one big party animal. To see the looks on the fans faces was to see a priest meeting god; pure rapture, unbroken by the outside world that went on as usual around them.

It was part way through when I realized why exactly Dan Deacon matters; it’s not his caring communist-concert ways (equal distribution of front row dancing, now these dancers pick the next dancers, ect.). It’s not his personality, which matches his loud and infectious beats, or his music, which is simple but catchy, almost annoying, but ultimately too fun to hate.

No, Dan Deacon matters because he got dozens and dozens of snotty punks to dance without conciousness right alongside the club kids. At the end of a long dusty festival day in a public park, Dan Deacon not only commanded the attention of the punk rock kids, but inspired them to dance in public with no shame—now that’s a musical miracle.

Deacon’s set ended abruptly midsong. Whether it was intentional on his part or a not-so-accidental cord pull from the crew, I don’t know. However the crowd would not stay silent, and continued to scream and sing for a good few minutes before dispersing. While the set was fantastic, it was the audience that gave me heart. Seeing such devotion is inspiring, and I wish that I saw it more often at shows. More people caring about bands might help this topsy-turvy music industry.

An Open Letter To Punk Rock Music (Written Roughly 5 Minutes After Bouncing Soul's Set)

Dear Punk Rock,

Please take these roses. We need to talk. I came to the realization today that I need you back in my life. No more empty promises and false words; this time, I want to be with you for good.

See, after an amazing show I often think that a piece of my heart goes with the band as they leave the stage, the club, (and sometimes:) the city, the state. Tonight I feel as though a piece of my heart is in the vans of every punk band leaving Fun Fun Fun Fest tonight. Big and small, young and old, shitty and great, old skool and new style, lifers and posuers; I love you all. I don’t care how silly, self indulgent, or over the top you are, punk rock. I don’t care that you’ve been mass marketed, lost and gained your edge and very exisistence, and inspired some of the all time shittiest tattoos and attitudes.

I used to have a very sure idea of who I was (a punk rocker) and where I fit into the scene, but lately I have been feeling a little lost. I don’t always feel very punk, and I know I’m not the punkest girl. I definitely appreciate many different sorts of music, and I don’t turn to punk as much these days.

But today I could have championed skulls and spikes to the world. Today reminded me of why I chose punk rock and why, in many ways, punk rock chose me back. Almost never have I felt such a great sense of belonging than at the Bouncing Souls show tonight. When I pumped my fists in the air with the crowd and screamed “true believer,” I screamed it like I meant it. I honestly felt like a true believer in punk rock, more than I have in a long time.

As I said before, I’m not the punkest girl. But whenever I stray from punk, it has a way of pulling me back in. I can never escape, thank god. Sure, Mr. Rotten, I’ve gotten the feeling I’ve been cheated, but never by the music.

Yours truly,

Zoe